News

Photo courtesy Alaska Aerial Media Two endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, as shown from an image captured by an unmanned aircraft system last August, stranded in the Turnagain Arm on the mudflats.

Drones to help spot stranded belugas

When the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales strand, it can be a guessing game as to how many and how old they are. The National… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Alaska Aerial Media Two endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, as shown from an image captured by an unmanned aircraft system last August, stranded in the Turnagain Arm on the mudflats.

Fights shape up over taxes, spending, revenue

There seems little doubt that the 2016 state legislative session will be pretty ugly. The money situation is getting worse and there’s no reason to… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion A plastic Christmas tree stands in the main cafeteria of the Wildwood Correctional Complex as yellow-suited inmates line up for dinner on Friday, Dec. 25.

Wildwood inmates see acts of kindness, charity on holiday

For the 200 or so people living in Kenai’s Wildwood Correctional Complex, the Christmas season began with visits from community groups and ended with dinner… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion A plastic Christmas tree stands in the main cafeteria of the Wildwood Correctional Complex as yellow-suited inmates line up for dinner on Friday, Dec. 25.
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Jack Sinclair, the former Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation supervisor for the Kenai Peninsula, has taken over the executive director position at the Kenai Watershed Forum.

Jack Sinclair to head Kenai Watershed Forum

As the new head of the Kenai Watershed forum, there is a lot to learn, but Jack Sinclair said he’s up to the task.Sinclair has… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Jack Sinclair, the former Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation supervisor for the Kenai Peninsula, has taken over the executive director position at the Kenai Watershed Forum.

Strip club owner found guilty of dumping waste in harbor

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — The owner of a crabbing boat that was converted into a floating strip club off the shore of an Alaskan island… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2015

State, municipal leaders discuss pension system debts

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — State and municipal leaders are in talks to change Alaska’s multi-billion-dollar pension system.Local leaders attended a meeting last week in Juneau… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2015

Judge sides with Kodiak radio station in records request

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — A judge has ordered the city of Kodiak to release records related to an encounter between three police officers and an… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2015

Borough employees, local organizations ramp up donation drives

Every Christmas, the employees of the Kenai Peninsula Borough adopt a few families for a few weeks. For the duration of the holiday season, the… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Sen. Dan Sullivan gave a rundown of his first year in Washington, D.C., to a large crowd at the joint Kenai and Soldotna chamber luncheon Wednesday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.

Sullivan focuses on economy, regulation reform

Economics, regulation and the military ruled the conversation during Sen. Dan Sullivan’s speech to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce luncheon on Wednesday.… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Sen. Dan Sullivan gave a rundown of his first year in Washington, D.C., to a large crowd at the joint Kenai and Soldotna chamber luncheon Wednesday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this October 9, 2014 file photo workers take a core sample of the earth near Autumn Road, in Nikiski where the Alaska LNG project has been buying land and planning to build an LNG facility at the terminus of a pipeline in a project that, if built, would be the largest of its kind in the world.

A critical year lies ahead for Alaska LNG Project agreements

The coming year is a critical one for the Alaska LNG Project. Continued progress on Alaska LNG is vital to Alaska’s long-term economy, and the… Continue reading

  • Dec 23, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this October 9, 2014 file photo workers take a core sample of the earth near Autumn Road, in Nikiski where the Alaska LNG project has been buying land and planning to build an LNG facility at the terminus of a pipeline in a project that, if built, would be the largest of its kind in the world.
Fire consumes Nikiski home

Fire consumes Nikiski home

A pet is missing and several more died after a Nikiski couple’s home burned down on Tuesday.Personnel from Nikiski Fire Department, Kenai Fire Department, Enstar… Continue reading

Fire consumes Nikiski home

Mayor calls for independent probe in Fairbanks 4 case

ANCHORAGE — The mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, said Wednesday he is seeking an independent investigation of how police handled the Fairbanks Four case in which… Continue reading

  • Dec 23, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro
Maps by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Area one, or the western branch of the Soldotna Creek drainage will be treated with the poison rotenone, in order to eradicate invasive northern pike in the region. Fish and Game plans to begin treatment on the four lakes in October. Once complete the project will be the largest rotentone treatment project carried out to date by Fish and Game.

Fish & Game: Mackey, Derk, Union lakes northern pike-free

Ice fishermen in East and West Mackey lakes, Derks Lake and Union Lake will be limited to two closely attended lines this winter. The Alaska… Continue reading

Maps by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Area one, or the western branch of the Soldotna Creek drainage will be treated with the poison rotenone, in order to eradicate invasive northern pike in the region. Fish and Game plans to begin treatment on the four lakes in October. Once complete the project will be the largest rotentone treatment project carried out to date by Fish and Game.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Ron Epperson, of Kasilof, takes a walk with his dog Smudge along the Woodcut Road near mile 6.5 of Funny River Road. Epperson said he's regularly hiked the road for nearly 40 years.

Photo: Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Ron Epperson, of Kasilof, takes a walk with his dog Smudge along the Woodcut Road near mile 6.5 of Funny River Road. Epperson said he's regularly hiked the road for nearly 40 years.

North Slope companies to keep up spending

What lies ahead for Alaska’s oil and gas industry in 2016?The overwhelming unknown is the price of crude oil, and whether it will continue to… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner

Anchorage treasurer notes issue with drop in traffic tickets

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage’s treasurer has expressed concern over the drop in the number of traffic tickets handed out by city police officers from… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015

Thinning caribou herd may no longer be state’s biggest

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A rough estimate shows the Western Arctic Caribou Herd is not rebounding from its last several years of declining population.State wildlife… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015

Police say drug deal preceded Anchorage shooting deaths

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An early morning drug deal preceded a shooting that killed two men in west Anchorage and led to the arrest of… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
  • By Dan Joling
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Les "Pee-Wee" Harrison, founder of the Portland-based Showtime Athletics and former Harlem All-Star, walks Kai Mckibben, 14, through a trick during a presentation for a group from the Kenai Peninsula Youth Court on Monday Dec. 21, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Professional basketball players inspire local youth to set goals

Local kids got a taste of professional basketball with a visit from a former Harlem Globetrotter and a member of the Harlem All-Stars. Tyrone “Hollywood”… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Les "Pee-Wee" Harrison, founder of the Portland-based Showtime Athletics and former Harlem All-Star, walks Kai Mckibben, 14, through a trick during a presentation for a group from the Kenai Peninsula Youth Court on Monday Dec. 21, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Lawmakers may move from offices costing $4 million to lease

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Lawmakers are a step closer to moving out of office space in Anchorage that costs $4 million to lease. The Legislative… Continue reading

  • Dec 21, 2015